What Yulex does

Yulex is a privately held materials science company founded in 1997 that develops certified natural rubber-based components — primarily foams, latex grades, and fine filaments — used as direct replacements for petroleum-derived neoprene, geoprene, and elastane/spandex. The company sources natural rubber from FSC- and PEFC-certified smallholder plantations in Vietnam and Thailand, running proprietary purification processes (YULEX Pure up to 99% purified) and filament harvesting (YULASTIC). Its product portfolio spans Yulex Foam (neoprene replacement for wetsuits, footwear, automotive, and yoga), Yulex Prime (solid rubber grade for closed-cell foams), Yulex Pure (high-purity latex), YULEX2.0 (next-generation stretch formulations from a fully-controlled supply chain), and YULASTIC (elastane alternative).

Yulex operates a B2B go-to-market, selling certified natural rubber materials to partner brands and earning revenue through material sales supplemented by a trademark licensing model that requires co-branding compliance. It serves over 40 brand partners across watersports (Patagonia, Finisterre, Decathlon, Billabong, Aqualung, Scubapro, Fourth Element, Zone3), fashion (H&M, Gap, Stella McCartney), footwear (Allbirds, Timberland, Bogs), and outdoor conglomerates (VF Corporation). Distribution is achieved through direct enterprise sales and partner-driven retail channels; lead generation relies on industry trade shows (ISPO Munich, Materials Show, DEMA) and content marketing via the Rubber Chronicles blog.

The company competes on regulatory compliance (EUDR, FSC, PEFC), quantified sustainability performance (80% CO2 reduction vs. neoprene, 95% vs. limestone-based geoprene), proprietary chemistry and supply chain control (YULEX2.0 independent supply chain), and social proof from long-tenured brand integrations. It is led by CEO Dr. Elizabeth Bui (appointed October 2023), with founder Jeff Martin remaining associated with the company. Headcount is reported at 51-100 employees; headquarters is in Solana Beach, California.

Name

Yulex

Legal name

Yulex, Inc.

Website

https://yulex.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Yulex is a privately held materials science company that produces certified FSC/PEFC natural rubber foams, latex, and filaments as plant-based replacements for petroleum-derived neoprene, geoprene, and elastane, selling to 40+ brand partners across watersports, footwear, and fashion (Patagonia, Decathlon, Finisterre, H&M, Allbirds, Stella McCartney).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Biomaterials / Natural Rubber Materials

NAICS

Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (325212), Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521), Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing (326), Urethane and Other Foam Product (except Polystyrene) Manufacturing (326150), Other Rubber Product Manufacturing (32629)

SIC

Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers (2821), Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820), Fabricated Rubber Products, Nec (3060)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Rubber & Bio-elastomers (bio-based TPEs, natural rubber innovations) (IMANANAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodegradable Elastomers & Rubbers (IMAEAOAI), Sustainable Protective & Cushioning Materials (Paper Cushions, Bio-Foams, Mycelium) (IMALAMAH), Compostable & Bio-based Flexible Films and Sheet (extrusion/cast/blown) (IMANANAC)

Keywords

• Natural rubber materials
• Sustainable biomaterials
• Neoprene alternatives
• Elastane replacements
• FSC certified rubber

Headquarters

HQ city

Maricopa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Natural Rubber Material Sales: Yulex develops and sells certified natural rubber materials including foam, latex, and solid rubber grades to partner brands who manufacture finished goods. Revenue is generated through material sales, trademark licensing, and brand partnership agreements.
2. Trademark Licensing and Brand Partnerships: Yulex grants partner brands a limited right to use Yulex Brand Assets (logos, trademarks, hang tags) on finished goods made using Yulex Certified Natural Rubber or Yulex Foam. Partners must enter into trademark agreements and comply with brand guidelines including co-branding requirements.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Yulex develops, manufactures, and sells certified natural rubber-based materials including closed-cell foam, purified latex, solid rubber, and natural rubber filaments. These materials serve as direct, sustainable replacements for petroleum-based neoprene, geoprene, and elastane/spandex in wetsuits, footwear, apparel, and other applications. The company sells to brand partners who manufacture finished goods under trademark and co-branding agreements.

Product overview

Yulex is a branded products company that develops certified natural rubber supply chains and natural rubber-based components including foams and fibers that replace petroleum-based materials like neoprene, geoprene, and spandex/elastane. The product portfolio includes: Yulex Foam (direct replacement for petroleum-based neoprene for wetsuits, footwear, automotive, bags, braces, yoga gear), Yulex Prime (certified natural rubber solid grade for closed cell foams), Yulex Pure (purified natural rubber latex), YULASTIC (plant-based elastane alternative for stretch denim and socks), and YULEX2.0 (enhanced natural rubber formulations with superior stretch). All materials are sourced from FSC and/or PEFC certified deforestation-free plantations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Yulex Foam: Natural rubber-based foam that replaces petroleum-based neoprene and geoprene in wetsuits and other applications.
• Yulex Prime
• Yulex Pure
• YULASTIC
• YULEX2.0
• YULEX100

Products and services

• Yulex Foam

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% reduction in CO2e emissions compared to petroleum-based neoprene, geoprene, and SBR
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Fashion for GoodcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2025Yulex is a material innovator partner in 'The Next Stride' project, a 12-month initiative led by Fashion for Good to develop bio-based polymer alternatives to replace fossil fuel-derived sole materials in the footwear industry. The project addresses the environmental footprint of footwear where soles account for at least 40% of a shoe's total mass and represent significant microplastic pollution.
• adidascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2025adidas is collaborating with Fashion for Good and Yulex on 'The Next Stride' project to develop bio-based alternatives for shoe soles. Major footwear brand committed to sustainable materials innovation.
• TargetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2025Target is collaborating with Fashion for Good and Yulex on 'The Next Stride' project to develop bio-based alternatives for shoe soles in the footwear industry.
• ZalandocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2025Zalando is collaborating with Fashion for Good and Yulex on 'The Next Stride' project to develop bio-based alternatives for shoe soles, focusing on reducing microplastic pollution and carbon emissions.
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)coreOthersYulex works with FSC-certified plantations and supply chains. FSC provides international standards for responsible forest management including Chain of Custody (COC) and Forest Management (FM) certifications through independent certification bodies. FSC cutoff date for eligibility is 2020.
• Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)coreOthersYulex works with PEFC-certified supply chains in Vietnam and Thailand. PEFC evaluates each country's national forest management plan and works with them to meet PEFC benchmarks. Yulex focuses on PEFC because the FSC 10% conservation set aside criterion is a financial hardship to smallholders. PEFC cutoff date is 2010.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Spiber: Japanese bio-tech company producing Brewed Protein fibers as plant-based alternatives to animal-derived and petroleum-derived materials for apparel. Comparable as a specialty bio-material supplier partnering with major fashion brands (Goldwin, The North Face Japan) on sustainable fiber substitution - directly parallel to Yulex's positioning in apparel-grade sustainable rubber.
• Modern Meadow: US bio-materials company developing plant- and bio-based leather alternatives (Bio-Tex, Bio-Alloy) for footwear and apparel. Direct comparable as a sustainable materials B2B supplier targeting fashion, footwear, and accessories brands seeking to replace petroleum- or animal-derived inputs.
• Bolt Threads: US bio-materials company producing protein-based fibers (microsilk, mylo) as sustainable alternatives to silk and leather for fashion brands (Adidas, Stella McCartney, Lululemon). Comparable as a B2B bio-materials platform serving the same eco-fashion and footwear brand customers Yulex targets.
• Natural Fiber Welding: US-based materials company developing plant-based polymers (CLARUS, MIRUM) as alternatives to leather and plastic for fashion, footwear, and automotive. Directly comparable as a specialty bio-material supplier serving sustainability-focused brand customers with proprietary plant-based chemistry.
• AMSilk: German bio-materials company producing bio-fabricated silk proteins for textile and cosmetics applications. Comparable as a specialty sustainable fiber supplier targeting apparel and consumer brands with a proprietary biotech production process - analogous to Yulex's proprietary natural rubber purification approach.

Emerging players

• Infinited Fiber Company: Finnish company producing regenerated textile fibers (Infinna) from cotton-rich waste as sustainable alternatives to cotton and viscose. Comparable as a sustainable fiber/material supplier targeting major fashion brands (H&M, Patagonia) - partial overlap with Yulex's apparel customer base and sustainability narrative.
• Keel Labs: US-based (formerly AlgiKnit) biotech company producing seaweed-based yarns (Kelsun) as sustainable alternatives to conventional textile fibers. Comparable as an emerging bio-material supplier targeting fashion brands with sustainability positioning - similar early commercial stage and customer-overlap dynamics as Yulex.
• Circular Systems: US-based materials company developing textile waste-based and agricultural by-product fibers (Agraloop, Texloop) for fashion brands seeking circular materials. Comparable as a sustainable textile materials supplier serving similar sustainability-driven apparel and footwear brand customers, with overlapping sustainability narratives though different feedstock (waste vs natural rubber).

Broad incumbents

• Sheico Group: Taiwan-based global manufacturer of neoprene and rubber foam products for watersports, athletic, and medical applications. Comparable as both a historical foam-manufacturing partner for Yulex and a broader incumbent in the rubber/neoprene foam supply chain that Yulex is increasingly competing with via YULEX2.0's in-house supply chain.
• Sri Trang Agro-Industry: Thai-listed integrated natural rubber producer (one of the world's largest) supplying tire-grade and general-purpose natural rubber globally. Comparable as a major upstream natural rubber supplier that Yulex's certified, apparel-grade natural rubber supply chain competes against in terms of sustainability differentiation and end-market positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@YulexBioRubber
• Facebookfacebook.com/YulexCorp
• Instagraminstagram.com/yulexllc
• Xx.com/yulexguayule
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yulex-corporation

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Yulex